High school graduates or individuals looking to explore continuing education at any age have various options. Among the most popular options is enrolling in a college or university. Studying a trade in a vocational school is another popular option.
What are vocational schools?
Vocational schools are sometimes referred to as career or trade schools. Vocational schools tend to offer certificate programs that are much shorter in duration than traditional college degree programs, and train students for skilled jobs. Vocational programs prepare individuals for careers in electrical work, hairstyling and cosmetology, certified nursing aids, automotive work, and HVAC services, among others.
Cost of attendance
Cost of education is an important factor when choosing a career, and the cost of vocational school is no exception. The College Board says trade school costs between $5,000 and $15,000 on average for a three- to 18-month program. By comparison, the national average for a two-year degree program at public and private colleges can range from $3,621 to $15,333 per year. The cost to attend a fouryear college is considerably higher, though it varies widely by institution.
NerdWallet reports that, as of 2021, total student loan debt in the United States exceeded $1.61 trillion. Vocational school can be a much more affordable option than attending college, without the specter of large amounts of debt looming once the training is over.
An obvious job path
Many higher education concentrations are confronting low enrollment, while vocational programs are doing quite well, according to The Hechinger Report, which covers innovation and equality in education. The reason may be that vocational training presents a clear career path, and a more secure way to a solid job. Mechanic and repair trade programs had an enrollment increase of 11.5 percent from spring 2021 to 2022, indicates the National Student Clearinghouse.
“America is lending money it doesn’t have to kids who can’t pay it back to train them for jobs that no longer exist,” says Mike Rowe, television personality and founder of the Mike Rowe Works Foundation, which offers scholarship money to those who are pursuing the trades. Rowe feels that America has convinced people that the best path for most people is an expensive education. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates there are more than seven million jobs available across the U.S. that do not require a four-year-degree.
Advantages to vocational schools
Trade school students can look forward to some benefits.
• hands-on learning
• more rigid schedule
• efficient time usage
• faster class pace
• small class sizes
• ability for licensure, where needed
• lower costs of attendance compared to other types of schooling
• instructors who are experts in their fields Vocational schools are an option for students right out of high school or those returning to school later in life. Such schools provide access to millions of rewarding and lucrative jobs that can offer financial security.
